Google unveils the $1,799 Pixel Fold with a 120Hz 7.6" main screen, a 5.8" exterior screen, a Tensor G2, and 12GB of RAM, for preorder now and arriving in June

Google's first foldable phone feels like what I always wanted from the Surface Duo to be. — I've been using some version …

Engadget 2023-05-11 Sam Rutherford

Context & Ripple Effects

The launch follows [[a:839161|April reporting that outlined the device’s display sizes, Tensor G2 chip, June timing, and above-$1,700 price]] and a pre-I/O teaser that confirmed the May 10 reveal. Google has now turned that planned entry into an orderable product.

The $1,799 price places the Pixel Fold directly alongside Samsung’s $1,799 Galaxy Z Fold 4, while Google’s simultaneous Pixel Tablet launch shows Tensor G2 being used across more than one form factor.

First-order effects

Google enters the premium foldable-phone category with a book-style device available for preorder, giving Android buyers a Google-branded alternative at the same headline price as Samsung’s Fold 4.
Prospective buyers must weigh the Pixel Fold’s 7.6-inch inner display, 5.8-inch outer display, Tensor G2, and 12GB of RAM against established premium foldable options.

Second-order effects

Samsung faces a more direct Android rival in the US-style premium foldable segment: Google can use its own hardware and software platform to compete for buyers rather than merely supplying Android to competing devices.
Google’s use of Tensor G2 in both the Fold and the new Pixel Tablet strengthens the case for a shared silicon platform across distinct device categories, concentrating product differentiation in Google’s hardware and software integration.

Third-order effects

The launch is an early step toward foldables becoming a sustained flagship line rather than a single experiment; the later Pixel 10 Pro Fold launch indicates Google continued iterating on the category.
If more platform owners sell foldables directly, premium Android competition is likely to center less on a single supplier’s hardware cadence and more on how each vendor balances screen formats, software, and device portfolios.

The trend: Google’s Pixel Fold is part of the broader move by Android platform vendors to make foldable form factors a recurring premium-product category.

Discussion

@chriswelch Chris Welch on x
The biggest unknown for the Pixel Fold is performance and thermals Google's Tensor chips run warm when pushed. And then your Pixel starts disabling features like 4K video recording. That might be tolerable on a normal phone — but not a $1,800 foldable. https://www.theverge.com/..…
@siddarthpaim Siddarth Pai on x
The Pixel Fold is Google's $1,800 entry into folding phones https://www.theverge.com/... Surprisingly Samsung's fold was selling good amongst its flagship phones like Notes and S series. This will be eating that market
@inafried Ina Fried on x
And here is a quick video of the #PixelFold in action at #GoogleIO2023 https://twitter.com/...
@sundarpichai Sundar Pichai on x
@gmail ... 6/ We introduced our new @madebygoogle Pixel devices: Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold. They bring the best of Google AI to people with our Google Tensor silicon. Can't wait for people to try them! https://blog.google/...
@khouryrt Dr. Rita El Khoury on x
Let's do some quick impressions. This is *by far* the best built Pixel A series and, probz, one of the best built midrangers on the market. It is virtually indistinguishable from the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Heck, it even looks like a baby version of my 7 Pro👌 https://twitter.com/...
@backlon Dieter Bohn on x
Look at the coral color on that new Pixel 7A, complete with 72% bigger camera sensor. Available today! https://twitter.com/...
@geoffreyfowler Geoffrey A. Fowler on x
The new Pixel Tablet charging speaker dock makes a lot of sense. I wonder why Apple never tried this with the iPad? Might have given people a reason to buy a HomePod! https://twitter.com/...
@stshank Stephen Shankland on x
We're in the hardware phase of #GoogleIO. The $499 Pixel Tablet includes a smart speaker stand. It's a good combination IMO for reading recipes, listening to news podcasts, and tweaking appliances with the Google Home app. Here's @jetscott's take. 17/ https://www.cnet.com/...
@jetscott Scott Stein on x
I spent some time with the Pixel Tablet recently. It looks good, comes with a speaker dock, it's coming soon, costs $499...but where's the keyboard? https://www.cnet.com/... #io23

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